ILLEGAL anglers caught fines as well as fish in the North West this spring, with 171 illegal fishing cases making it to court between April and June.

Fishing without a licence cost illegal anglers in the region a total of £21,485 in fines and costs in the same period.

That's an average of over £125 per person - whereas a standard adult fishing licence is just £24 for the full season and a one-day licence is just £3.25.

It is against the law to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels without a licence in England and Wales and on the Border Esk and its tributaries in Scotland. Environment Agency officers regularly patrol waterways to check that anglers have licences.

Money raised from rod licence sales goes straight back into protecting and improving fisheries - something from which all anglers benefit.

"Failure to have a licence is illegal, as is fishing in the close season," said Environment Agency Head of Fisheries, Dafydd Evans. Those caught fishing illegally face tough penalties you could be fined up to £2,500 and banned from fishing.

"Some anglers believe a licence is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. This is not the case all rod licences expire on 31 March. So, if you've taken a break from fishing, remember to check your licence is still valid before going back to the river bank."

Rod licences are available over the counter from Post Offices or over the phone on 0870 1 662 662 or from the Environment Agency website, www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence